TIME and time again I read reports in the Examiner about elderly people being tricked by con-men who say they are from “the water board” or “the electricity board”.

When, oh when will the elderly people of Kirklees realise that these bodies no longer exist?

It must be at least 20 years since they were privatised and took different names.

I’m sure that there are many elderly folk who are fully up-to-date and aware of this, but there are evidently enough who aren’t for the con-men to be confident that they can still fool people by using the out-of-date names.

So please take this advice to heart: if someone calls at your door saying “I’m from the water board” or “I’m from the electricity board”, don’t even bother asking for their ID, say “there’s no such thing!” and slam the door in their face, as they are bound to be tricksters!

Even if someone calls unannounced saying they are from Yorkshire Water, or nPower, treat them with the utmost caution.

These organisations usually contact you beforehand if they need to visit you, so make sure you ask the caller for his ID, and if you doubt that he is bona-fide, ring the organisation in question to check him out.

A genuine workman will be willing to wait while you do so, whereas a con-man will most likely scarper.

Only if people are aware and firm in this way will these scumbags who prey on the vulnerability of elderly people be defeated.

William A Kirby

Netherton